Logic and evolution (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, July 24, 2016, 19:30 (3042 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: Please don't tell me that by cognitive, sentient, purposeful, decision-making etc., he actually means automatically obeying God's instructions. 
> DAVID: Just following God's implanted instructions.
> 
>dhw: That is your belief, and you are entitled to disagree with Shapiro, but please don't tell me Shapiro agrees with you.-I can guess he does in his private, non-scientific light. He was president of his Jewish Temple.
> 
> DAVID: But that is the only evidence we have from protein analysis of cells. Are you invoking panpsychism again?
> 
> dhw: Protein analysis of cells will not explain how cell communities reach their decisions. Panpsychism is a very broad term, but I certainly do invoke the idea that all living organisms have some form of consciousness (not to be confused with human levels of self-awareness).-But all that is found in a complete biochemical analysis of cells is molecular reactions and wondrous molecules which deliver the goods by walking along biological ropes. Where is this consciousness located, if no part can be identified with it? Bacteria don't have neurons, and at a cellular level only neurons are neurons. That cells can re-write their genome is a mechanism that was present as part of the origin of cells. In my view origin of life is a God-given miracle, nothing less than that.